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The Brindlewatch Quintet #1
The Stars of Mount Quixx: The Brindlewatch Quintet, Book 1
Even the best intentions can bring down a mountain …
Sent away for the summer, the Ivyweather sisters were promised a family vacation by their wealthy, indifferent parents. Two at-odds opposites—Constance an anxious society sweetheart and Ivory an adventure-struck rebel—the sisters aren’t sure what to make of the dangerously decayed town of Quixx and its creeping fog that never seems to lift.
When Ivory disappears after a spat with her sister, Constance tracks her to the mountain, where the Ivyweathers learn the town’s hushed talk of monsters is more than just a rumor. There, the sisters meet Derrek, a dapper and talented astronomer who also happens to be a spider-like creature with a scientific mind, the best of intentions, and a tragic past. Together, they all must find a way to lift the dangerous fog that has ensnared the town and return Quixx’s long-lost stars. But they soon discover that something far more monstrous than beasts lurks in Quixx, and it’s poised to crush this sleepy mountain town, along with the dreams of those in it.
Death and discarded memories haunt every corner of Quixx, but kinship, romance, and family—the one we choose—are at the heart of this cautiously optimistic, unabashedly queer modern monster story.
About the Series
Welcome to Brindlewatch—a world like ours from days gone by. Fast shiny cars, growing metropolises, and a war on the other side of the ocean with an enemy no one can see. Back at home, monsters, spirits, and the humans who get entangled with them populate the Brindlewatch Quintet—five individual, interconnected tales of mystery, romance, and ultimately, belonging. This is the newest YA fantasy series by beloved writer S.M. Beiko, award-winning author of the Realms of Ancient trilogy. It is notable for its charming and quirky tone and diverse cast of relatable characters. The series will begin with The Stars of Mount Quixx in spring 2023 and conclude with The Battle for Brindlewatch in 2027.
Sent away for the summer, the Ivyweather sisters were promised a family vacation by their wealthy, indifferent parents. Two at-odds opposites—Constance an anxious society sweetheart and Ivory an adventure-struck rebel—the sisters aren’t sure what to make of the dangerously decayed town of Quixx and its creeping fog that never seems to lift.
When Ivory disappears after a spat with her sister, Constance tracks her to the mountain, where the Ivyweathers learn the town’s hushed talk of monsters is more than just a rumor. There, the sisters meet Derrek, a dapper and talented astronomer who also happens to be a spider-like creature with a scientific mind, the best of intentions, and a tragic past. Together, they all must find a way to lift the dangerous fog that has ensnared the town and return Quixx’s long-lost stars. But they soon discover that something far more monstrous than beasts lurks in Quixx, and it’s poised to crush this sleepy mountain town, along with the dreams of those in it.
Death and discarded memories haunt every corner of Quixx, but kinship, romance, and family—the one we choose—are at the heart of this cautiously optimistic, unabashedly queer modern monster story.
About the Series
Welcome to Brindlewatch—a world like ours from days gone by. Fast shiny cars, growing metropolises, and a war on the other side of the ocean with an enemy no one can see. Back at home, monsters, spirits, and the humans who get entangled with them populate the Brindlewatch Quintet—five individual, interconnected tales of mystery, romance, and ultimately, belonging. This is the newest YA fantasy series by beloved writer S.M. Beiko, award-winning author of the Realms of Ancient trilogy. It is notable for its charming and quirky tone and diverse cast of relatable characters. The series will begin with The Stars of Mount Quixx in spring 2023 and conclude with The Battle for Brindlewatch in 2027.
Audible Audio
Published July 25, 2023
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About the author
S.M. Beiko
18 books129 followersSAMANTHA MARY BEIKO is a writer of whatever tromps into her head at the time--but mostly it is YA fantasy and its derivatives.
She currently works full-time the Canadian publishing industry as a freelance editor, graphic designer, and consultant, and is the Co-Publisher of ChiZine Publications. She devotes her days to helping traditional corporate publishers, as well as independent writers and creators, realize their projects to print or digital completion, helping them to market with editorial and graphic design. She was also the co-editor on Imaginarium 2013 and Imaginarium 5, and will be co-editing Gothic Tales of Haunted Love with Hope Nicholson for Bedside Press in 2017.
Her first novel, a young adult fantasy set in rural Manitoba called The Lake and the Library, was nominated for the Manitoba Book Award for Best First Book, as well as the 2014 Aurora Award. Her next series, The Realms of Ancient, has been signed for a three book deal with ECW Press. The first book, Scion of the Fox, will be out in October 2017. The sequels to follow are Children of the Bloodlands and The Brilliant Dark in the subsequent years (2018 and 2019).
Samantha currently resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is the co-chair of the Winnipeg ChiSeries, a reading series that highlights speculative writers in various panels, readings, and workshops. She is also the co-organizer, along with Hope Nicholson (Bedside Press) and Alicia May (Dandizette Cosmetics) of Winnipeg Geek Girls Social Club.
She apologizes in advance if she ignores you when a dog walks by.
She currently works full-time the Canadian publishing industry as a freelance editor, graphic designer, and consultant, and is the Co-Publisher of ChiZine Publications. She devotes her days to helping traditional corporate publishers, as well as independent writers and creators, realize their projects to print or digital completion, helping them to market with editorial and graphic design. She was also the co-editor on Imaginarium 2013 and Imaginarium 5, and will be co-editing Gothic Tales of Haunted Love with Hope Nicholson for Bedside Press in 2017.
Her first novel, a young adult fantasy set in rural Manitoba called The Lake and the Library, was nominated for the Manitoba Book Award for Best First Book, as well as the 2014 Aurora Award. Her next series, The Realms of Ancient, has been signed for a three book deal with ECW Press. The first book, Scion of the Fox, will be out in October 2017. The sequels to follow are Children of the Bloodlands and The Brilliant Dark in the subsequent years (2018 and 2019).
Samantha currently resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is the co-chair of the Winnipeg ChiSeries, a reading series that highlights speculative writers in various panels, readings, and workshops. She is also the co-organizer, along with Hope Nicholson (Bedside Press) and Alicia May (Dandizette Cosmetics) of Winnipeg Geek Girls Social Club.
She apologizes in advance if she ignores you when a dog walks by.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 21, 2023
When the 2 pole apart sisters are stuck in town covered by a cursed mist adventures are bound to happen. This was supposed to be their family vacation, but their parents ditched them as usual. But when the younger sister (Ivory) disappears, the elder one (Constance) has to unwillingly go look into the doomed mountain, where the strange creatures of the dark live.
Brimming with warm vibes of sisterhood, love in the strangest places and a discovery of your true self. The story is a full-on adventure. Although when I was 25% into the book, I kept wondering what will happen ahead. It was like a mini-story within the bigger story. Needless to say, it had multiple plot twists and a very engaging storyline.
It's a mood-read kind of book, so if you are searching for creepy creatures, magic, science and romantic vibes together, this book will be a good fit. It's not however a reread sort but definitely worth reading once.
Thank you @netgalley @ecwpress @ecwaudio and @samantha_smash for the entertaining ARC. It was a fun read!
P.S I had to give the cover artist a shoutout, it is beautiful 😻
Brimming with warm vibes of sisterhood, love in the strangest places and a discovery of your true self. The story is a full-on adventure. Although when I was 25% into the book, I kept wondering what will happen ahead. It was like a mini-story within the bigger story. Needless to say, it had multiple plot twists and a very engaging storyline.
It's a mood-read kind of book, so if you are searching for creepy creatures, magic, science and romantic vibes together, this book will be a good fit. It's not however a reread sort but definitely worth reading once.
Thank you @netgalley @ecwpress @ecwaudio and @samantha_smash for the entertaining ARC. It was a fun read!
P.S I had to give the cover artist a shoutout, it is beautiful 😻
September 10, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley & ECW press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book, about two sisters moving into a small town in the shadow of a strange mountain, felt like it crept up from my childhood nostalgia and made a comfortable home in the present moment. It reminded me of all the odd little books I absorbed as a child, stories about relocation and small town mysteries, with whimsical magic and a sense of place that was both of our world and distinctly not. This book genuinely charmed me so much and felt like a continuation of all the odd books that had been my bread and butter growing up while still absolutely being its own vibrant and distinctive thing.
The atmosphere of the book was lovely, the ending was so perfectly delivered, and I was so utterly charmed by all of the characters (even Slanner by the end!). It felt deeply comfortable, like soup in the autumn, while still having vibrant characters and a story that dealed with harsh and true to life fears. It was just potent and lovely and I am going to hold this book close for ages.
Also!! For those who care, it was a genuine monster romance!! A whole nice genderfluid giant spider scientist and and an anxiety riddled perfectionist prep-school girl! Left me so genuinely delighted and happy! Huge kudos to this book for being so whimsical and so vibrant and lovely!
This book, about two sisters moving into a small town in the shadow of a strange mountain, felt like it crept up from my childhood nostalgia and made a comfortable home in the present moment. It reminded me of all the odd little books I absorbed as a child, stories about relocation and small town mysteries, with whimsical magic and a sense of place that was both of our world and distinctly not. This book genuinely charmed me so much and felt like a continuation of all the odd books that had been my bread and butter growing up while still absolutely being its own vibrant and distinctive thing.
The atmosphere of the book was lovely, the ending was so perfectly delivered, and I was so utterly charmed by all of the characters (even Slanner by the end!). It felt deeply comfortable, like soup in the autumn, while still having vibrant characters and a story that dealed with harsh and true to life fears. It was just potent and lovely and I am going to hold this book close for ages.
Also!! For those who care, it was a genuine monster romance!! A whole nice genderfluid giant spider scientist and and an anxiety riddled perfectionist prep-school girl! Left me so genuinely delighted and happy! Huge kudos to this book for being so whimsical and so vibrant and lovely!
September 27, 2022
It took me a good while to get into this one. Overall, it had good moments but felt bit forced in places, like trying too hard or taking itself too seriously. Just ok for me.
June 29, 2023
This cozy and eccentric story would have been much better suited to middle grade in my opinion. The reviews are absolutely all over the place with some people really liking it and other people hating it and I generally enjoyed it. Like the story itself is fine. It did take me a minute to get into which seems to be a common thing for people and I almost wish I had turned my narration speed down just a bit because it 2.0 I think I missed some of the details and the netgalley app for audiobooks makes it super difficult to go back and find things.
So this one is about these two sisters Ivory who is 14 and Constance who is 18 and they go to this quirky little small town for vacation without their parents because their parents are absentee pieces of garbage. There is a subplot with the parents that I think could have been developed way more than it was. If I recall we get like I don't know maybe a paragraph or so of context about the parents and why they are the way they are but that was it. Okay maybe it's more than a paragraph. It's probably like two or three pages in text but it was maybe a minute in the audio. But anyway they are in this town called Quixx and stay at this bedraggled bed and breakfast with this kooky old lady as the landlady and one day they end up on the mountain even after being told not to. And apparently the mountain is full of monsters but ivy wants adventure and Constance has to go after ivy.
On the mountain they run into this spider-esque monster named Derek. I listen to the audiobook so just sorry if I'm spelling names wrong, but Derek is an arachnid astronomer and he's doing all sorts of sciencey stuff up in the mountains and befriends the girls.
I feel like this book lacked a little bit of direction and tried to go too many ways while also feeling like it didn't go anywhere. I really loved the queer representation because almost every character is queer of some sort but again, I feel like some things were mentioned once or twice and then completely disregarded. For example not necessarily queer representation, but Constance is described as a bigger girl and her being fat is mentioned a couple times but then it just seems like it's forgotten about. And obviously being fat is not all of someone's life but as a fat person, there's no way that she didn't acknowledge her body even in the most neutral of ways more than two or three times.
Another example of this almost performative queerness. I really don't want to say performative queerness because I don't want to go there but one of the very prominent characters is described as non-binary/gender fluid and using both he and they pronouns yet I recall exactly one instance where the book referred to that character with they/them pronouns and the rest of the time uses he/him. Again I wish I could go back to the point when the character talks about their pronouns and maybe he says something about gravitating towards he/him but I don't remember despite finishing this 20 minutes ago and listening to it all today.
There's also sapphic and Achillean characters as well as more trans rep within the secondaries. The queer rep was nice to see.
I feel like I stand in the middle on this one. It's a decent story and it held my attention and I like the magical elements and despite being terrified of spiders even Derek grew on me towards the end. But I don't think this book accomplished what it wanted to and lacked direction.
Also is a side note, I think this book would have been so popular in like 2009. Do with that what you will.
SPOILERS:
....
.....
....
...
Also we have got to talk about the supernatural being who is very old being paired with a teenager. I don't care if she's 18 and I don't care if the supernatural creature didn't come of age until 70 something, that still makes them over 30 something years old. It's creepy. His book didn't need that romance subplot. Make them be friends okay jesus.
So this one is about these two sisters Ivory who is 14 and Constance who is 18 and they go to this quirky little small town for vacation without their parents because their parents are absentee pieces of garbage. There is a subplot with the parents that I think could have been developed way more than it was. If I recall we get like I don't know maybe a paragraph or so of context about the parents and why they are the way they are but that was it. Okay maybe it's more than a paragraph. It's probably like two or three pages in text but it was maybe a minute in the audio. But anyway they are in this town called Quixx and stay at this bedraggled bed and breakfast with this kooky old lady as the landlady and one day they end up on the mountain even after being told not to. And apparently the mountain is full of monsters but ivy wants adventure and Constance has to go after ivy.
On the mountain they run into this spider-esque monster named Derek. I listen to the audiobook so just sorry if I'm spelling names wrong, but Derek is an arachnid astronomer and he's doing all sorts of sciencey stuff up in the mountains and befriends the girls.
I feel like this book lacked a little bit of direction and tried to go too many ways while also feeling like it didn't go anywhere. I really loved the queer representation because almost every character is queer of some sort but again, I feel like some things were mentioned once or twice and then completely disregarded. For example not necessarily queer representation, but Constance is described as a bigger girl and her being fat is mentioned a couple times but then it just seems like it's forgotten about. And obviously being fat is not all of someone's life but as a fat person, there's no way that she didn't acknowledge her body even in the most neutral of ways more than two or three times.
Another example of this almost performative queerness. I really don't want to say performative queerness because I don't want to go there but one of the very prominent characters is described as non-binary/gender fluid and using both he and they pronouns yet I recall exactly one instance where the book referred to that character with they/them pronouns and the rest of the time uses he/him. Again I wish I could go back to the point when the character talks about their pronouns and maybe he says something about gravitating towards he/him but I don't remember despite finishing this 20 minutes ago and listening to it all today.
There's also sapphic and Achillean characters as well as more trans rep within the secondaries. The queer rep was nice to see.
I feel like I stand in the middle on this one. It's a decent story and it held my attention and I like the magical elements and despite being terrified of spiders even Derek grew on me towards the end. But I don't think this book accomplished what it wanted to and lacked direction.
Also is a side note, I think this book would have been so popular in like 2009. Do with that what you will.
SPOILERS:
....
.....
....
...
Also we have got to talk about the supernatural being who is very old being paired with a teenager. I don't care if she's 18 and I don't care if the supernatural creature didn't come of age until 70 something, that still makes them over 30 something years old. It's creepy. His book didn't need that romance subplot. Make them be friends okay jesus.
July 2, 2023
It says it's of early young adults, and I think the early holds a lot of weight there. It's not middle-grade, but it's not like the ya books that most people read. Even in the thick of the conflict, it kinda held onto the theme of "love conquers all" to an almost absurd degree. I also struggled to get a sense of the setting. I get that authors are supposed to show not tell, but I think a little more telling was needed here. From what I can tell, the story is set in its own world, but culturally based in early 20th century America. There's a split continent, and a war on the other continent from the one we're on; technology wise, there's cars, electricity, but long distance communication through telegraph, and societal roles for women is very outdated. I spent an absurd amount of time figuring this much out, when I could have been focusing on the story. Otherwise, I think it was cute. I liked the sort of weird magic in the mountains that it had going on. I feel like I would have enjoyed this, and overlooked it's flaws, more when I was about 14-15 years old. It's definitely in that style of fantasy that I loved back then.
September 25, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be so unique and yet somehow feel so incredibly nostalgic makes The Stars of Mount Quixx such an interesting read. It has everything I enjoyed about reading growing up, reminding me of all my old favorites that I haven't thought of in so long. Except better, because it's queer.
Mount Quixx, a character all on its own, serves as the mysterious and whimsical backdrop of this story which follows the Ivyweather sisters as they are sent away for the summer by their disengaged parents. Staying at a borderline abandoned boarding house run by a woman lovingly referred to as Batty Miss Bee, the girls quickly realize their vacation led them into a town unlike any other. The setting is so rich, with the ever-present fog covering the landscape, the strange stories of monsters on the mountain, and the townspeople and major landmarks all seemingly coming from a different time. Honestly, above all else, the setting is what makes this book worth reading.
The plot itself is fun, and the characters are all quirky and eccentric. The romance is a subplot so there isn't very much to it, but it's simple and sweet and fitting for the two characters. The mysterious past of the town was compelling, and it was fun to put together the pieces slowly as I read.
Given that this book is at the younger end of the young adult genre, I did have trouble identifying with the characters. I would go so far as to say that this story is appropriate for middle school kids. This is no criticism, but it felt much younger than what I usually read so there were aspects of the story that fell short for me. Overall though, for the genre and age range for which it was written, it did a beautiful job of enchanting me with its cozy setting and eccentric characters.
To be so unique and yet somehow feel so incredibly nostalgic makes The Stars of Mount Quixx such an interesting read. It has everything I enjoyed about reading growing up, reminding me of all my old favorites that I haven't thought of in so long. Except better, because it's queer.
Mount Quixx, a character all on its own, serves as the mysterious and whimsical backdrop of this story which follows the Ivyweather sisters as they are sent away for the summer by their disengaged parents. Staying at a borderline abandoned boarding house run by a woman lovingly referred to as Batty Miss Bee, the girls quickly realize their vacation led them into a town unlike any other. The setting is so rich, with the ever-present fog covering the landscape, the strange stories of monsters on the mountain, and the townspeople and major landmarks all seemingly coming from a different time. Honestly, above all else, the setting is what makes this book worth reading.
The plot itself is fun, and the characters are all quirky and eccentric. The romance is a subplot so there isn't very much to it, but it's simple and sweet and fitting for the two characters. The mysterious past of the town was compelling, and it was fun to put together the pieces slowly as I read.
Given that this book is at the younger end of the young adult genre, I did have trouble identifying with the characters. I would go so far as to say that this story is appropriate for middle school kids. This is no criticism, but it felt much younger than what I usually read so there were aspects of the story that fell short for me. Overall though, for the genre and age range for which it was written, it did a beautiful job of enchanting me with its cozy setting and eccentric characters.
December 12, 2022
With a promising premise of unnatural creatures brought upon by an ever present fog, The Stars of Mount Quixx by S.M. Beiko was unfortunately my lowest rated book of the year and DNF’d at 10%.
Following two sisters on vacation to the bizarre Quixx, a town full of oddballs and apparently the girls’ parents, this novel sets up for an interesting read. However, between juvenile writing and snooze worthy characters, this book does not deliver.
In the small portion I did end up reading most of it was filled with unnecessary dialogue of the main character’s surroundings and inner thoughts of the people around her. Pair this with bad writing and the main character becomes insufferable, acting far younger than her apparent age.
This book does a great job is saying everything and nothing at the same time.
In summation, I have rated this book 1 star for its interesting premise and little else.
Following two sisters on vacation to the bizarre Quixx, a town full of oddballs and apparently the girls’ parents, this novel sets up for an interesting read. However, between juvenile writing and snooze worthy characters, this book does not deliver.
In the small portion I did end up reading most of it was filled with unnecessary dialogue of the main character’s surroundings and inner thoughts of the people around her. Pair this with bad writing and the main character becomes insufferable, acting far younger than her apparent age.
This book does a great job is saying everything and nothing at the same time.
In summation, I have rated this book 1 star for its interesting premise and little else.
March 7, 2024
I'm afraid this was one of these books that I just couldn't make myself finish. I made it about halfway before deciding it wasn't worth my time finishing it.
I found the story completely bizarre in places, sometimes I wasn't really following what was happening. The main characters are both annoying in different ways, and despite constance being about 18, and talking like she's an adult, everything she does seems very childish. Ivory at least is younger, but is playing the role of 'not like other girls ' in a really obvious and rather irritating way.
I found the writing style a bit childish too. Sometimes too simple and sometimes just trying way too hard.
I never like to leave negative reviews, but this book just wasn't for me at all.
I found the story completely bizarre in places, sometimes I wasn't really following what was happening. The main characters are both annoying in different ways, and despite constance being about 18, and talking like she's an adult, everything she does seems very childish. Ivory at least is younger, but is playing the role of 'not like other girls ' in a really obvious and rather irritating way.
I found the writing style a bit childish too. Sometimes too simple and sometimes just trying way too hard.
I never like to leave negative reviews, but this book just wasn't for me at all.
June 24, 2025
2.5. a good book but so very slow for a long time. Probably wouldn’t read again
November 22, 2022
Stars of Mount Quixx
Earc:NetGalley
Publisher: Ecw Press
Publication Date:25th April 2023
Genre :Teens and young adult
For starters, it was purely the mystery-fantasy element that drew me out of the book's description. I always finish fantasy romance books. But the Quixx mountain star wasn't precisely what I Expected. It Lacked some elements, and I didn't think the pace worked.
The book is prolonged, and I found it difficult to continue reading. But there is one thing I appreciate about this book, like the bond between the two sisters and the atmosphere of a small magical town. I liked the way he wrote S.M Beiko. I feel like this book is aimed at the incorrect age range. It would suit a younger audience. There was also the issue of writing the characters themselves. Three times the personalities of some characters were too similar for me to distinguish them.
Also, I wouldn't say I liked that most of the story was told through dialogue rather than an actual description. It was done through conversation, which made it difficult to do in this book. Overall, the story lacks character growth and feels aimed at the wrong audience. I think young viewers will enjoy this story.
The language was weird to get used to, as the story seems to be set in a quaint, quirky town in the 40s and 50s. It didn't help that the characters felt so young. It sounded like she was 11 or 12, but she was trying to look older.
#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #teensandyoungadults
Earc:NetGalley
Publisher: Ecw Press
Publication Date:25th April 2023
Genre :Teens and young adult
For starters, it was purely the mystery-fantasy element that drew me out of the book's description. I always finish fantasy romance books. But the Quixx mountain star wasn't precisely what I Expected. It Lacked some elements, and I didn't think the pace worked.
The book is prolonged, and I found it difficult to continue reading. But there is one thing I appreciate about this book, like the bond between the two sisters and the atmosphere of a small magical town. I liked the way he wrote S.M Beiko. I feel like this book is aimed at the incorrect age range. It would suit a younger audience. There was also the issue of writing the characters themselves. Three times the personalities of some characters were too similar for me to distinguish them.
Also, I wouldn't say I liked that most of the story was told through dialogue rather than an actual description. It was done through conversation, which made it difficult to do in this book. Overall, the story lacks character growth and feels aimed at the wrong audience. I think young viewers will enjoy this story.
The language was weird to get used to, as the story seems to be set in a quaint, quirky town in the 40s and 50s. It didn't help that the characters felt so young. It sounded like she was 11 or 12, but she was trying to look older.
#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #teensandyoungadults
August 15, 2023
Stars of Mount Quixx was a darling story. I found that the narration of the story added a great deal to the plot, especially when the pacing may have felt a bit off, as the narrator added necessary emotion that explained what felt like missing context at times. What I think that this author did amazingly well, however, was the inclusion of a diverse cast of characters with a wide range of gender expression and orientations, woven seamlessly into a beautiful tale of love, lost and found. I adored the relationships that were built and am excited to see how the author decides to expand a story that felt like a standalone into a series!
October 2, 2022
I had a hard time getting into this book, I felt like the pacing was overall a bit slow. However, I did enjoy the small town atmosphere and the imagery.
April 9, 2025
Gay girlies, mental health bonding, and animals companions
Literally what more could you want
Literally what more could you want
July 1, 2024
An awfully entertaining audio book that had me chuckling loudly. Beautifully narrated by Celina Sindten.
July 1, 2023
Stars of Mount Quixx is fantastic! If you’re looking for a queer fantasy set in a mysterious town on an even more mysterious mountain this is the book for you. There’s romance, monsters, a town on the brink of being forgotten, history repeating itself and so much more. If you’re not comfortable with pushing boundaries and people being true to themselves this is not the book for you but if you are open minded I think you will love it as much as I do.
March 10, 2023
The Stars of Mount Quixx is an adorable story about love, fear, and embracing the unknown.
Sisters Constance (18) and Ivory (14) head off to Quixx for a summer getaway, only to discover the town is a far cry from what they thought it would be. And the mysterious mountain towering over the town has a secret - monsters live there, and Ivory can't wait to meet them.
I really enjoyed the character arcs for Constance and Ivory and even some of the side characters. Derrek and Ms. Bee were lovely, too! The vibe of the book is cozy with just the right amount of suspense. There's a section with a disjointed timeline that was a little difficult to keep straight, but the order of it made sense. I really appreciated the variety of representation.
Rep: anxiety, Sapphic, Achillean, transgender, nonbinary, fat
4.75 stars, rounding up to 5.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
Sisters Constance (18) and Ivory (14) head off to Quixx for a summer getaway, only to discover the town is a far cry from what they thought it would be. And the mysterious mountain towering over the town has a secret - monsters live there, and Ivory can't wait to meet them.
I really enjoyed the character arcs for Constance and Ivory and even some of the side characters. Derrek and Ms. Bee were lovely, too! The vibe of the book is cozy with just the right amount of suspense. There's a section with a disjointed timeline that was a little difficult to keep straight, but the order of it made sense. I really appreciated the variety of representation.
Rep: anxiety, Sapphic, Achillean, transgender, nonbinary, fat
4.75 stars, rounding up to 5.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
May 24, 2023
I think the book fits into the realm of cozy fantasy. The worldbuilding is delightfully whimsical and the stakes are more "save the town" than "save the world". Some anxiety/panic attack rep, but well handled.
There is queerness without queerphobia, kind monsters, and heaps of redemption. Not to mention that our MC is a curvy girl.
At it's heart, this is a sister story, which I just adore. Sisters Constance and Ivory must learn to trust each other and support each other unconditionally in the face of an unknown future.
Some favourite quotes:
"A mother's strength comes from knowing that the fear doesn't go away. So you do it afraid."
"I'm glad we're here together, on the bridge to the blessed unknown, both of us without a clue."
This book is the first in the Brindlewatch Quintet, and I recommend it for those who love sweet romances without spice, genteel spiders, and sentient mountains that ignore the laws of physics.
There is queerness without queerphobia, kind monsters, and heaps of redemption. Not to mention that our MC is a curvy girl.
At it's heart, this is a sister story, which I just adore. Sisters Constance and Ivory must learn to trust each other and support each other unconditionally in the face of an unknown future.
Some favourite quotes:
"A mother's strength comes from knowing that the fear doesn't go away. So you do it afraid."
"I'm glad we're here together, on the bridge to the blessed unknown, both of us without a clue."
This book is the first in the Brindlewatch Quintet, and I recommend it for those who love sweet romances without spice, genteel spiders, and sentient mountains that ignore the laws of physics.
November 16, 2022
This was an utterly adorable book! This is definitely a book perfect for teens, it had the romance and the suspense that any good book has. I loved the queer representation in this, it just made the characters seem more alive. Constance and Derreks relationship was so incredibly wonderful and I loved the messages it told. I also loved Ivory and Constance’s sister-ship it was told incredibly well. This was just a find yourself and let’s work together story, told with some amazing magical moments. I have to also love the little science aspect of this book because of the way it showed that we shouldn’t judge someone and sterotype people based on their looks. I will definitely recommend this to younger teen readers!
January 14, 2023
The Stars of Mount Quixx follows the Ivyweather sisters and their adventure in the town of Quixx and the mysterious mountain where it is rumored monsters live. All in all, I really enjoyed this one, although it really took me until Derrek joined the story for me to really get into it. He is so wonderful. The monsters themselves are all really special. The worldbuilding and representation in this story are great, but it is a little slow, so if you are looking for a thrilling fantasy you may want to lower your expectations. I look forward to reading more about these characters in future books.
April 11, 2023
What a delightfully atmospheric read! The magical small town vibes really worked well in this one! I was drawn to the mysterious aspects of the story and was intrigued by its uniqueness. Although the character development could have been stronger and the pace could have been more consistent, I really enjoyed this one. I would say that the story itself and the way the characters are written is more for the younger end of the young adult audience. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the eccentric characters.
January 26, 2023
The Stars of Mount Quixx was a cute YA, LGBTQIA+ tale with a diverse cast of characters and pretty accurate representations of mental health. While it look a little while for me to get into the tale, the second half really drew me in. I loved the character dynamics and the ending was very satisfying.
This was a Netgalley review.
This was a Netgalley review.
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November 30, 2022Thanks to NetGalley and ECW press for an advance copy!
tl;dr
A very dreamlike story that focuses on a sister relationship and the difficulties of growing up. Easy to lose grasp of the plot in places.
About
The Ivyweather sisters couldn't be more different. Older sister Constance is the perfect picture of societal expectations on the outside and roiling anxiety on the inside. Energetic younger sister Ivory doesn't care in the slightest for societal expectations, and spends most of her time alone exploring nature. It's their last summer together before Constance has to leave for college, and they're spending it in the town of Quixx, a strange place where the fog never leaves and the residents whisper about monsters that live on the nearby mountain.
Thoughts
About halfway through the story, Ivory comments that the events in the book are "Curiouser and curiouser," and I feel like the reference to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is apt. There's a very slippery strange logic to the world and the people in it. Physics don't always work as expected, time seems a little out of joint, and no one in town seems to take notice of this. Events unfurl into each other with little direction as the two leads move through a very dreamlike story. The biggest difference in this case is that instead of Alice, we get Constance and Ivory. Ivory embraces the strangeness wholeheartedly, running directly toward adventure and danger. Constance attempts to play the logician, hoping that if she manages to control herself, the rest of the world will also fall into place. The friction between the sisters forms the foundation of the first third of the book, with the rest of the book about them slowly finding their common ground again. As this is the first book in a set of five, we don't get a lot of answers, so the development of their relationship is the core of the story's progression, to the point that the plot takes a back seat more often than not. The blurb for the book describes it as unabashedly queer, and I can confirm that is the case, with multiple sexualities and gender identities written into the canon and handled with respect. Also, there is definitely a monster romance in here. So if you like that, congrats! And if you don't, now you know.
tl;dr
A very dreamlike story that focuses on a sister relationship and the difficulties of growing up. Easy to lose grasp of the plot in places.
About
The Ivyweather sisters couldn't be more different. Older sister Constance is the perfect picture of societal expectations on the outside and roiling anxiety on the inside. Energetic younger sister Ivory doesn't care in the slightest for societal expectations, and spends most of her time alone exploring nature. It's their last summer together before Constance has to leave for college, and they're spending it in the town of Quixx, a strange place where the fog never leaves and the residents whisper about monsters that live on the nearby mountain.
Thoughts
About halfway through the story, Ivory comments that the events in the book are "Curiouser and curiouser," and I feel like the reference to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is apt. There's a very slippery strange logic to the world and the people in it. Physics don't always work as expected, time seems a little out of joint, and no one in town seems to take notice of this. Events unfurl into each other with little direction as the two leads move through a very dreamlike story. The biggest difference in this case is that instead of Alice, we get Constance and Ivory. Ivory embraces the strangeness wholeheartedly, running directly toward adventure and danger. Constance attempts to play the logician, hoping that if she manages to control herself, the rest of the world will also fall into place. The friction between the sisters forms the foundation of the first third of the book, with the rest of the book about them slowly finding their common ground again. As this is the first book in a set of five, we don't get a lot of answers, so the development of their relationship is the core of the story's progression, to the point that the plot takes a back seat more often than not. The blurb for the book describes it as unabashedly queer, and I can confirm that is the case, with multiple sexualities and gender identities written into the canon and handled with respect. Also, there is definitely a monster romance in here. So if you like that, congrats! And if you don't, now you know.
March 15, 2024
This was one of those books I wish I enjoyed more than I did. I even debated over what my final rating would be. Overall, I like the concept, and the characters are loveable - although they are more like caricatures at times, but that was easily forgiven.
I stayed for the characters and not for the plot because the story took quite a while to get going. In fact, there was so much focus on characters and their relationships with one another that I didn't feel the story had any real stakes until the last hundred pages or so. Until that moment, I spent the bulk of the novel wondering where this was all going.
Another issue I had was that the world building was minimal. Not every book needs rich lore, but in a fantasy novel I do expect to get a sense of the larger world the story inhabits. Although Quixx, its history, and its inhabitants are described in detail, I know next to nothing about the world at large. I don't know that I could tell you a single thing about Brindlewatch outside of how Constance and Ivory's parents expect them to live in it. For most of the book, I debated whether this world as a whole was meant to be analogous to our own (but with monsters), or purely fantastical with completely different societal rules and norms.
I think the most frustrating part was something that could have been resolved by another round of edits. There was a tendency to over explain certain things to the point where it became the literary equivalent of beating a dead horse, as if the reader couldn't be trusted to understand the finer details of the story.
The section that infuriated me the most was one that beautifully described the gender identity of two characters and how they had held re-naming ceremonies for themselves. This was immediately followed by another character saying something along the lines of: "Oh, that means they're transgender." That ruined the moment for me. That is not something that needed to be over-explained. It was more than apparent before that moment that Mx. Mott was trans, and that one sentence sullied what was a very well written paragraph.
Again, even at their worst, the characters were loveable enough that I had to know what happened to them, so it really frustrated me that this story fell flat.
I stayed for the characters and not for the plot because the story took quite a while to get going. In fact, there was so much focus on characters and their relationships with one another that I didn't feel the story had any real stakes until the last hundred pages or so. Until that moment, I spent the bulk of the novel wondering where this was all going.
Another issue I had was that the world building was minimal. Not every book needs rich lore, but in a fantasy novel I do expect to get a sense of the larger world the story inhabits. Although Quixx, its history, and its inhabitants are described in detail, I know next to nothing about the world at large. I don't know that I could tell you a single thing about Brindlewatch outside of how Constance and Ivory's parents expect them to live in it. For most of the book, I debated whether this world as a whole was meant to be analogous to our own (but with monsters), or purely fantastical with completely different societal rules and norms.
I think the most frustrating part was something that could have been resolved by another round of edits. There was a tendency to over explain certain things to the point where it became the literary equivalent of beating a dead horse, as if the reader couldn't be trusted to understand the finer details of the story.
The section that infuriated me the most was one that beautifully described the gender identity of two characters and how they had held re-naming ceremonies for themselves. This was immediately followed by another character saying something along the lines of: "Oh, that means they're transgender." That ruined the moment for me. That is not something that needed to be over-explained. It was more than apparent before that moment that Mx. Mott was trans, and that one sentence sullied what was a very well written paragraph.
Again, even at their worst, the characters were loveable enough that I had to know what happened to them, so it really frustrated me that this story fell flat.
May 24, 2023
Whimsical and magical, filled with monsters and curiosities, THE STARS OF MOUNT QUIXX is a coming of age tale of two sisters, the products of absentee parents, who are left to navigate their young adulthood and pending adulthood all on their own. Their summer travels take them to a place called Mount Quixx, a small, curious town perpetually enshrouded in a dense fog. Even more curious than the town and the menacing mountain at the center of it are the people. Once a thriving tourist destination, something has happened to Mount Quixx. People have moved on, no one new ever comes a’ calling, and the stars have disappeared. Enamored and enchanted with Quixx and its quirky residents, the sisters find themselves at the center of it all, determined to help the town reclaim its former glory.
I absolutely adored this book! It’s not one that’s easy to follow, as the storyline often moves around as frenetically as the characters, but it is one that’s very easy to get absorbed in. I absolutely loved the delightful strangeness of the entire book, from the odd inhabitants of the town to the feeling of a small, charming town that harkens to the simpler times of the past. The Ivyweather sisters were truly a delight, and I loved their relationship and how each one handles the challenges of growing up, and the difficulties of not having a set of parents around to help guide them through the rough patches. They had each other though, which helped. There is a bit of romance as well, and that was also a joy. I love a good monster romance, and this particular monster was spectacular.
THE STARS OF MOUNT QUIXX is reminiscent of a childhood folktale. Not just any folktale, but the ones with claws and teeth that burrow their way straight into your heart. The ones that you still think of, long past the age of childhood. This is a book I’ll remember for quite a while, and it’s certainly one I’ll recommend to anyone who liked a bit of whimsy and a lot of curiosities. 5 stars.
I absolutely adored this book! It’s not one that’s easy to follow, as the storyline often moves around as frenetically as the characters, but it is one that’s very easy to get absorbed in. I absolutely loved the delightful strangeness of the entire book, from the odd inhabitants of the town to the feeling of a small, charming town that harkens to the simpler times of the past. The Ivyweather sisters were truly a delight, and I loved their relationship and how each one handles the challenges of growing up, and the difficulties of not having a set of parents around to help guide them through the rough patches. They had each other though, which helped. There is a bit of romance as well, and that was also a joy. I love a good monster romance, and this particular monster was spectacular.
THE STARS OF MOUNT QUIXX is reminiscent of a childhood folktale. Not just any folktale, but the ones with claws and teeth that burrow their way straight into your heart. The ones that you still think of, long past the age of childhood. This is a book I’ll remember for quite a while, and it’s certainly one I’ll recommend to anyone who liked a bit of whimsy and a lot of curiosities. 5 stars.
July 19, 2023
Thankyou to Netgalley and the Publishers for an audiobook ARC.
This is a tough one for me, whilst there were elements I enjoyed (the eccentric characters and the relationship between the main sisters) I also think there was something distinctly lacking for me on the whole and I can't quite put my finger on what it is. I will also say the audiobook narrator was great and I felt she embodied the characters well.
The plot follows the Ivyweather sisters who are on a holiday to what they think is a quaint holiday town, but instead find the odd and rundown town of Quixx which features a ominous foggy mountain. This book's eccentric and eerie atmosphere immediately gave me Lemony Snicket vibes but then it treads more into Alice in Wonderland territory as the eccentric gives way to the bizarre.
As mentioned previously I highly enjoyed the colourful and eccentric characters in this story, of particular note are the Ivyweather sisters themselves who are not outright eccentric but have a very interesting relationship that features many ups and downs due to their very different personalities. Constance is very prim and proper outwardly but is in a near constant state of anxiety and suffers frequent panic attacks, Ivy on the other hand is carefree, curious and adventurous. Honestly their individual characters and their relationship as sisters was my favourite thing about this book as they often butt heads but also care for each other dearly.
The issues I think stem from the plot itself feeling fairly slow and low stakes at times and the book feeling like more of a middle grade read than a YA, which is not inherently a problem as I do sometimes read middle grade and can enjoy them but I think marketing this as YA creates the wrong expectation going in I also just didn't feel the urge to keep reading or go back to the book when I took a break.
This is a tough one for me, whilst there were elements I enjoyed (the eccentric characters and the relationship between the main sisters) I also think there was something distinctly lacking for me on the whole and I can't quite put my finger on what it is. I will also say the audiobook narrator was great and I felt she embodied the characters well.
The plot follows the Ivyweather sisters who are on a holiday to what they think is a quaint holiday town, but instead find the odd and rundown town of Quixx which features a ominous foggy mountain. This book's eccentric and eerie atmosphere immediately gave me Lemony Snicket vibes but then it treads more into Alice in Wonderland territory as the eccentric gives way to the bizarre.
As mentioned previously I highly enjoyed the colourful and eccentric characters in this story, of particular note are the Ivyweather sisters themselves who are not outright eccentric but have a very interesting relationship that features many ups and downs due to their very different personalities. Constance is very prim and proper outwardly but is in a near constant state of anxiety and suffers frequent panic attacks, Ivy on the other hand is carefree, curious and adventurous. Honestly their individual characters and their relationship as sisters was my favourite thing about this book as they often butt heads but also care for each other dearly.
The issues I think stem from the plot itself feeling fairly slow and low stakes at times and the book feeling like more of a middle grade read than a YA, which is not inherently a problem as I do sometimes read middle grade and can enjoy them but I think marketing this as YA creates the wrong expectation going in I also just didn't feel the urge to keep reading or go back to the book when I took a break.
November 5, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and ECW Press for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For starters, what pulled me to this book from the description was purely the mystery-fantasy elements to it, I'm always done to read fantasy romance books. However, the Stars of Mount Quixx wasn't exactly what I was looking for. It lacked some elements I had in mind but it wasn't a bad book by any means. Maybe the pace wasn't for me.
The book is pretty slow, and for someone who likes to be engaged from the very beginning, it was a bit hard for me to keep on reading. But there are things I genuinely appreciated in this book. Like the sisterly bond between the two sisters, and the small mysterious town vibes. I somewhat liked S.M Beiko's writing style safe for one thing, the pace. However, I feel like this book is geared toward the wrong audience. I feel like it suits a younger age group than the one advertised.
There was also the problem with the writing of the characters themselves. Three were times when the personalities of several characters sounded super close that I wasn't able to differentiate between them. developing a unique voice for some characters seemed like a problem for the author.
I also disliked the fact that most of the story was told through conversation rather than an actual description. I love imaging books while reading, it was hard for me to do this with this book since the majority of it was done through conversation, not actual descriptions.
Overall, I feel like this story lacked in terms of character development and it was aimed at the wrong audience. I feel like a younger audience would definitely enjoy this story.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
For starters, what pulled me to this book from the description was purely the mystery-fantasy elements to it, I'm always done to read fantasy romance books. However, the Stars of Mount Quixx wasn't exactly what I was looking for. It lacked some elements I had in mind but it wasn't a bad book by any means. Maybe the pace wasn't for me.
The book is pretty slow, and for someone who likes to be engaged from the very beginning, it was a bit hard for me to keep on reading. But there are things I genuinely appreciated in this book. Like the sisterly bond between the two sisters, and the small mysterious town vibes. I somewhat liked S.M Beiko's writing style safe for one thing, the pace. However, I feel like this book is geared toward the wrong audience. I feel like it suits a younger age group than the one advertised.
There was also the problem with the writing of the characters themselves. Three were times when the personalities of several characters sounded super close that I wasn't able to differentiate between them. developing a unique voice for some characters seemed like a problem for the author.
I also disliked the fact that most of the story was told through conversation rather than an actual description. I love imaging books while reading, it was hard for me to do this with this book since the majority of it was done through conversation, not actual descriptions.
Overall, I feel like this story lacked in terms of character development and it was aimed at the wrong audience. I feel like a younger audience would definitely enjoy this story.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
September 13, 2022
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and ECW Press in exchange for an honest review.
This book reminded me a lot of Once Upon A Broken Heart, which I read recently and was very disappointed with. Much like that book, the Stars of Mount Quixx left much to be desired.
This book was described as a young adult fantasy with elements of found family, sisterly love and romance. I felt that while I could see the direction the author was heading, it ultimately didn’t deliver.
Personally, I felt the writing of this book to be extremely childish. It felt as if I were reading middle grade fiction versus a young adult fantasy. The characters all felt very young in terms of the way they spoke as well as their overall attitudes and personalities.
Overall, I think this was the biggest hurdle for me to overcome while trying to finish this book. I felt as though I was reading dialogue the whole time and that the majority of the story was told through overly quirky characters and their conversations rather than description.
While I knew going into this that there was going to be a spider/humanoid character I wasn’t aware they were going to be the main love interest. If I had known this from the book jacket I wouldn’t have requested this arc. It was an off putting love interest to say the least but the book didn’t have me rooting for the characters to get together at all.
Where this book did shine for me was the aspect of found family. I think this story would’ve been very successful had it focused more on the relationship between Connie and her sister Ivory and their connections with the town folk and less on the weird spider boyfriend.
This book reminded me a lot of Once Upon A Broken Heart, which I read recently and was very disappointed with. Much like that book, the Stars of Mount Quixx left much to be desired.
This book was described as a young adult fantasy with elements of found family, sisterly love and romance. I felt that while I could see the direction the author was heading, it ultimately didn’t deliver.
Personally, I felt the writing of this book to be extremely childish. It felt as if I were reading middle grade fiction versus a young adult fantasy. The characters all felt very young in terms of the way they spoke as well as their overall attitudes and personalities.
Overall, I think this was the biggest hurdle for me to overcome while trying to finish this book. I felt as though I was reading dialogue the whole time and that the majority of the story was told through overly quirky characters and their conversations rather than description.
While I knew going into this that there was going to be a spider/humanoid character I wasn’t aware they were going to be the main love interest. If I had known this from the book jacket I wouldn’t have requested this arc. It was an off putting love interest to say the least but the book didn’t have me rooting for the characters to get together at all.
Where this book did shine for me was the aspect of found family. I think this story would’ve been very successful had it focused more on the relationship between Connie and her sister Ivory and their connections with the town folk and less on the weird spider boyfriend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2022
The Stars of Mount Quixx is the first of a quintet of books, although I'm not sure where the story will go from here.
Constance and Ivory Ivyweather are spending their summer in Quixx, a strange town at the foot of a great mountain. Years ago, there was an explosion on the mountain, and now there is a giant crater at its base, and eternal fog covering the entire town. No one has seen the sun, moon or stars in years in Quixx, and some of its residents are moving away, going to the bigger cities.
Constance is a poised, proper 18 year old woman who worries about doing The Right Thing at all times. However, in her heart, she knows she doesn't want to follow the typical society path of getting married to someone who is rich, like her family. Her younger sister Ivory is wild, and doesn't hide her ambitions to be a scientist or inventor or something entirely unsuitable for a society maiden.
When Ivory runs away, and Constance finds her on the mountain in the presence of a monster, she is horrified and fears for their lives. But when that "monster" speaks perfect English, wears a suit and is the perfect gentleman, Constance's opinion slowly changes.
This book has some positives - it deals with hatred of the other, sexuality and transgender issues, and women's place in the world in a positive light. However, sometimes you feel like you're being hit over the head with the author's opinions. The writing is clunky at times, and the story is mildly interesting, but not captivating. I almost stopped reading it, but pushed through, and the second half of the story was better than the first.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
Constance and Ivory Ivyweather are spending their summer in Quixx, a strange town at the foot of a great mountain. Years ago, there was an explosion on the mountain, and now there is a giant crater at its base, and eternal fog covering the entire town. No one has seen the sun, moon or stars in years in Quixx, and some of its residents are moving away, going to the bigger cities.
Constance is a poised, proper 18 year old woman who worries about doing The Right Thing at all times. However, in her heart, she knows she doesn't want to follow the typical society path of getting married to someone who is rich, like her family. Her younger sister Ivory is wild, and doesn't hide her ambitions to be a scientist or inventor or something entirely unsuitable for a society maiden.
When Ivory runs away, and Constance finds her on the mountain in the presence of a monster, she is horrified and fears for their lives. But when that "monster" speaks perfect English, wears a suit and is the perfect gentleman, Constance's opinion slowly changes.
This book has some positives - it deals with hatred of the other, sexuality and transgender issues, and women's place in the world in a positive light. However, sometimes you feel like you're being hit over the head with the author's opinions. The writing is clunky at times, and the story is mildly interesting, but not captivating. I almost stopped reading it, but pushed through, and the second half of the story was better than the first.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
September 4, 2024
self-discovery, and the power of chosen family in a way that is both enchanting and profound. The Ivyweather sisters, Constance and Ivory, are sent away for what promises to be a relaxing family vacation, but they quickly find themselves plunged into the mysterious and decaying town of Quixx, where nothing is as it seems.
Constance, the anxious society darling, and Ivory, the adventurous rebel, couldn’t be more different, yet their bond is tested when Ivory disappears, leading Constance on a daring rescue mission. What follows is a gripping adventure filled with eerie fog, forgotten monsters, and the unlikely friendship of Derrek, a dapper, spider-like astronomer with a tragic past. Together, they must uncover the secrets of Quixx, battle both literal and figurative monsters, and lift the veil of darkness that shrouds the town.
Author Kate Schumacher masterfully blends the magical with the emotional, crafting a story that is as much about confronting inner demons as it is about battling external ones. The story's charm lies not only in its captivating plot but also in its exploration of love, kinship, and the importance of both given and chosen family. Though it occasionally dips into middle-grade territory, the novel remains a compelling read for young adults and anyone who enjoys a heartwarming yet thrilling adventure.
With its queer, modern take on the monster genre, The Stars of Mount Quixx stands out as a tale that is both cautiously optimistic and richly imaginative, leaving readers eager for the next chapter in this enchanting series.
Constance, the anxious society darling, and Ivory, the adventurous rebel, couldn’t be more different, yet their bond is tested when Ivory disappears, leading Constance on a daring rescue mission. What follows is a gripping adventure filled with eerie fog, forgotten monsters, and the unlikely friendship of Derrek, a dapper, spider-like astronomer with a tragic past. Together, they must uncover the secrets of Quixx, battle both literal and figurative monsters, and lift the veil of darkness that shrouds the town.
Author Kate Schumacher masterfully blends the magical with the emotional, crafting a story that is as much about confronting inner demons as it is about battling external ones. The story's charm lies not only in its captivating plot but also in its exploration of love, kinship, and the importance of both given and chosen family. Though it occasionally dips into middle-grade territory, the novel remains a compelling read for young adults and anyone who enjoys a heartwarming yet thrilling adventure.
With its queer, modern take on the monster genre, The Stars of Mount Quixx stands out as a tale that is both cautiously optimistic and richly imaginative, leaving readers eager for the next chapter in this enchanting series.
January 25, 2023
This is a fast-paced story once you get into it; it takes a bit to get past the beginning. Constance Ivyweather and her sister Ivory (who prefers Ivy) arrive in the town of at the base of Mt. Quixx, the mountain behind the boarding house their parents have sent them to for the summer. They begin to explore the mountain, and find all manner of unusual inhabitants and equipment, much of the latter harking back to an astronomer who built and observatory on the top of Mt. Quixx some fifty years earlier.
During their explorations of the mountain and the town, Constance and Ivy both explore themselves as well. Constance, always obedient, is, at 18, preparing to leave for college, where her parents expect her to follow their plans for her and find a compatible person to marry. Ivy, however, is a rebel, disappointing her parents as well as the succession of nannies hired to raise the pair as their parents engage in other pursuits. Together, the sisters discover a steampunk-style installation atop Mt. Quixx, designed to blow away the ever-present mist that covers Quixx so completely that the sky is never visible, and its most unusual operator. But that same operator, once revealed to the townspeople, causes a significant and negative response, for both his actions and his appearance. In trying to save him, both Constance and Ivy learn about themselves, their preferences, and their strengths.
During their explorations of the mountain and the town, Constance and Ivy both explore themselves as well. Constance, always obedient, is, at 18, preparing to leave for college, where her parents expect her to follow their plans for her and find a compatible person to marry. Ivy, however, is a rebel, disappointing her parents as well as the succession of nannies hired to raise the pair as their parents engage in other pursuits. Together, the sisters discover a steampunk-style installation atop Mt. Quixx, designed to blow away the ever-present mist that covers Quixx so completely that the sky is never visible, and its most unusual operator. But that same operator, once revealed to the townspeople, causes a significant and negative response, for both his actions and his appearance. In trying to save him, both Constance and Ivy learn about themselves, their preferences, and their strengths.
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